U.S. patent application number 11/574579 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-17 for transportation device and combinational weighing apparatus including the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to ISHIDA CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Masaya Fujii, Hiroshi Hattori, Takuya Iwasa, Takuyu Kubo, Yukio Sugioka.
Application Number | 20090229890 11/574579 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41061782 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090229890 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sugioka; Yukio ; et
al. |
September 17, 2009 |
TRANSPORTATION DEVICE AND COMBINATIONAL WEIGHING APPARATUS
INCLUDING THE SAME
Abstract
A transportation device capable of smoothly transporting even an
object having a sticky surface or the like and a weighing device
including the same are provided. A transportation device (10) is
for transporting an object placed on a trough (11) in a
predetermined direction by reciprocating the trough (11) by a
parallel link mechanism (20), and a control unit (30) controls the
rotation driving of a rotatable motor (14) such that the trough
(11) moves forward with respect to the transportation direction at
a higher velocity than backward.
Inventors: |
Sugioka; Yukio; (Shiga,
JP) ; Hattori; Hiroshi; (Shiga, JP) ; Fujii;
Masaya; (Shiga, JP) ; Iwasa; Takuya; (Shiga,
JP) ; Kubo; Takuyu; (Shiga, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLOBAL IP COUNSELORS, LLP
1233 20TH STREET, NW, SUITE 700
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-2680
US
|
Assignee: |
ISHIDA CO., LTD.
Kyoto
JP
|
Family ID: |
41061782 |
Appl. No.: |
11/574579 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
January 17, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP06/00534 |
371 Date: |
March 1, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
177/59 ; 198/575;
198/610; 198/750.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 27/32 20130101;
G01G 19/393 20130101; G01G 19/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
177/59 ;
198/750.1; 198/575; 198/610 |
International
Class: |
G01G 13/16 20060101
G01G013/16; B65G 25/04 20060101 B65G025/04; B65G 43/00 20060101
B65G043/00; B65G 37/00 20060101 B65G037/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 20, 2005 |
JP |
2005-012396 |
Mar 29, 2005 |
JP |
2005-094370 |
Claims
1. A transportation device, comprising: a trough on which an object
to be transported is to be placed; a reciprocating mechanism
configured to reciprocate the trough forward and backward with
respect to a transportation direction of the object; and a control
unit configured to control the reciprocating mechanism so as to
move the trough forward at a higher velocity than backward; wherein
the trough is reciprocated forward in a diagonally upward direction
by means of the reciprocating mechanism.
2. A transportation device according to claim 1, wherein the
reciprocating mechanism is a parallel link mechanism comprising a
plurality of vertical members configured to support for supporting
the trough, a drive source configured to reciprocate the trough,
and a link member configured to couple the vertical members and the
drive source.
3. A transportation device according to claim 2, wherein the
parallel link mechanism is installed to the rear of the trough in
the transportation direction of the object.
4. A transportation device according to claim 1, wherein the
control unit controls the reciprocating mechanism such that the
trough moves intermittently each time the trough reciprocates
forward and backward with respect to the transportation direction
and such that the trough will be stationary in a rear end area with
respect to transportation direction.
5. A transportation device according to claim 1, further comprising
a projection formed on a transportation surface of the trough,
wherein a face of the projection located at a forward position with
respect to the transportation direction is inclined at a greater
angle to the transportation surface than a face of the projection
located at a backward position with respect to the transportation
direction.
6. A transportation device according to claim 1, wherein the
transportation surface of the trough is inclined down and forward
with respect to the transportation direction.
7. A transportation device according to claim 1, wherein the object
to be transported is an object having a sticky surface or an object
absorbing vibration.
8. A combinational weighing device comprising: a transportation
device according to claim 1; a weighing unit configured to weigh an
object supplied from the transportation device; and a discharging
unit configured to discharge the weighed object.
9. A transportation device according to claim 1, wherein the
transportation surface of the trough is inclined down and forward
with respect to the transportation direction, the transportation
device further comprising: a driving unit configured to drive the
reciprocating mechanism; and a projection formed on the
transportation surface of the trough, wherein a face of the
projection located at a forward position with respect to the
transportation direction is inclined at a greater angle to the
transportation surface than a face of the projection located at a
backward position with respect to the transportation direction.
10. A transportation device according to claim 9, wherein: the
reciprocating mechanism comprises a vertical member configured to
support the trough; and the vertical member reciprocates in a range
between a first state in which the vertical member is parallel to
the vertical direction and a second state in which the vertical
member is inclined backward with respect to the transportation
direction.
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. A transportation device according to claim 9, further
comprising a generally circular dispersion table located upstream
with respect to the trough and swung so as to disperse objects
placed thereon from a center thereof, and a driving mechanism
configured to swing the dispersion table.
14. A transportation device according to claim 13, wherein the
dispersion table has a projection on a circumferential area of a
surface thereof on which the objects are to be placed, wherein a
face of the projection located at a forward position with respect
to a transportation direction on the dispersion table is inclined
at a greater angle to the transportation surface than a face of the
projection located at a backward position with respect to the
transportation direction.
15. A transportation device according to claim 13, wherein the
dispersion table is swung in a horizontal direction by the driving
mechanism.
16. A transportation device according to claim 13, further
comprising a shutter mechanism, located between a circumferential
end of the dispersion table and the trough, the shutter mechanism
configured to temporarily stop transportation of the object.
17. A combinational weighing device, comprising: a transportation
device according to claim 9; a weighing unit configured to weigh an
object supplied from the transportation device; and a discharging
unit configured to discharge the weighed object.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a transportation device for
transporting an object placed on a trough in a predetermined
transportation direction by reciprocating the trough, and a
combinational weighing device including the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, transportation devices for transporting an
object placed on a trough have been provided. An example of such a
transportation device reciprocates a trough with respect to a
transportation direction by means of a parallel link mechanism
(reciprocating mechanism) that is connected to the trough.
[0003] For example, a transportation device disclosed in patent
document 1 adopts a transportation system which moves a trough
backward with respect to the transportation direction at a higher
velocity than forward. This transportation device can reciprocate
the trough in a transportation direction by rotating a motor
connected to the parallel link mechanism in a forward
direction.
[0004] Patent document 1: Japan Published Patent Publication No.
2000-247427 (published on Sep. 12, 2000)
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0005] However, the above-described conventional transportation
device has the following problems.
[0006] The above-described transportation device transports an
object on the trough forward with respect to the transportation
direction by using a transportation system which moves the trough
backward with respect to the transportation direction at a higher
velocity than when moving it forward. However, an object having a
sticky surface, an object that absorbs vibration, an object
containing a significant amount of moisture or the like, for
example, chicken meat or pickles (or food preserved in vinegar,
brine, etc.), may occasionally not be smoothly transported forward
with respect to the transportation direction.
[0007] In addition, the transportation device disclosed in the
above-mentioned publication transports an object on the trough
forward with respect to the transportation direction by means of a
"fast backward" transportation system. However, for example, an
object having a sticky surface or an object which is soft and
absorbs vibration, such as chicken meat, pickles or the like, may
occasionally not be smoothly transported forward with respect to
the transportation direction.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a
transportation device that is capable of smoothly transporting an
object, even an object having a sticky surface and the like, and a
combinational weighing device including the same.
[0009] A transportation device according to a first aspect
comprises a trough, a reciprocating mechanism, and a control unit.
An object to be transported is placed on the trough. The
reciprocating mechanism reciprocates the trough in the
transportation direction of the object. The control unit controls
the reciprocating mechanism so as to move the trough forward with
respect to the transportation direction at a higher velocity than
backward.
[0010] Here, with the transportation device for transporting an
object placed on the trough in a predetermined direction by
reciprocating the trough in the transportation direction, a
reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating the trough, such as, for
example, a parallel link mechanism, is controlled to move the
trough forward with respect to the transportation direction at a
higher velocity than backward.
[0011] Thus, even an object having a sticky surface or an object
that absorbs vibration, such as, for example, chicken meat or
pickles can be smoothly transported in the predetermined
transportation direction.
[0012] In a transportation device according to a second aspect
based on the first aspect, the reciprocating mechanism is a
parallel link mechanism including comprising a plurality of
vertical members for supporting the trough, a drive source for
reciprocating the trough, and a link member for coupling vertical
members and the drive source.
[0013] Here, as a mechanism for reciprocating the trough, a
parallel link mechanism including vertical members for supporting
the trough, a drive source, and a link member is used.
[0014] Thus, a driving force supplied from the drive source to the
link member is conveyed to the vertical members, and the vertical
members swing forward and backward in the transportation direction.
As a result, the trough can be reciprocated forward and backward
with respect to the transportation direction.
[0015] In a transportation device according to a third aspect based
on the second aspect, the vertical members reciprocate in a range
between a first state in which the vertical members are parallel to
the vertical direction and a second state in which the vertical
members are inclined backward with respect to the transportation
direction.
[0016] Here, the vertical members for supporting the trough are
swung in a range including a state in which the vertical members
are parallel to the vertical direction and a state in which the
vertical members are inclined backward with respect to the
transportation direction.
[0017] Thus, the object on the trough can be supplied with a force
directed obliquely upward and forward with respect to the
transportation direction. Therefore, the object on the trough is
moved so as to be thrown upward and forward with respect to the
transportation direction by the reciprocation of the trough. As a
result, even an object having a sticky surface, an object that
absorbs vibration or the like, which is difficult to be transported
by a conventional transportation method, can be reliably
transported in the predetermined transportation direction.
[0018] In a transportation device according to a fourth aspect
based on any one of the first through third aspects, the control
unit controls the reciprocating mechanism such that the trough
reciprocates forward and backward with respect to the
transportation direction intermittently to move each time the
trough reciprocates forward and backward with respect to the
transportation direction and such that the trough will be
stationary in a rear end area with respect to transportation
direction.
[0019] Here, intermittent control is performed such that the trough
stops after each reciprocation and will be stationary in a rear end
area with respect to transportation direction.
[0020] Thus, a static friction force generated between the object
and the trough by each reciprocation of the trough is recovered. As
a result, when, for example, an object having a high viscosity is
being transported, the viscous resistance is increased and the
force in which the object is thrown upward increases. Therefore,
the situation in which the object slides on the trough while the
trough is reciprocating and cannot be properly transported can be
prevented.
[0021] A transportation device according to a fifth aspect based on
any one of the first through fourth aspects further comprises a
projection formed on a transportation surface of the trough,
wherein a face of the projection located at a forward position with
respect to the transportation direction is inclined at a greater
angle to the transportation surface than a face of the projection
located at a backward position with respect to the transportation
direction.
[0022] Here, on the transportation surface of the trough on which
the object for transportation is to be placed, a projection is
provided for properly transporting the object forward with respect
to the transportation direction while the trough is reciprocating.
The projection has, for example, a generally triangular
cross-section when seen from the side of the trough, and is formed
such that a face thereof located at a forward position with respect
to the transportation direction is inclined at a greater angle to
the transportation surface than a face thereof located at a
backward position with respect to the transportation direction.
[0023] Thus, the face of the projection having a greater
inclination angle can prevent the object from being displaced
backward with respect to the transportation direction while the
trough is reciprocating. As a result, smooth transportation of the
object placed on the trough can be realized.
[0024] In a transportation device according to a sixth aspect based
on any one of the first through fifth aspects, the transportation
surface of the trough is inclined down and forward with respect to
the transportation direction.
[0025] Here, the trough for transporting the object to be
transported is inclined down and forward with respect to the
transportation direction.
[0026] Thus, even an object, which is difficult to be transported
by a conventional transportation mechanism of moving the trough
backward with respect to the transportation direction at a higher
velocity than forward, can be transported forward with respect to
the predetermined transportation direction efficiently.
[0027] By combining the downward inclination of the trough and the
projection formed on the transportation surface of the trough, more
efficient transportation is realized with the projection preventing
the object from sliding down on the transportation surface of the
trough.
[0028] In a transportation device according to a seventh aspect
based on any one of the first through sixth aspects, the object to
be transported is an object having a sticky surface or an object
absorbing vibration.
[0029] Here, as an object to be transported by a transportation
device according to the present aspect, an object having a sticky
surface or an object absorbing vibration is used.
[0030] Thus, even an object having a sticky surface or absorbing
vibration, such as chicken meat or pickles, which is difficult to
be transported by a conventional transportation mechanism of moving
the trough backward with respect to the transportation direction at
a higher velocity than forward, can be transported in the
predetermined transportation direction efficiently.
[0031] A combinational weighing device according to an eighth
aspect comprises a transportation device according to any one of
the first through seventh aspects, a weighing unit for weighing an
object supplied from the transportation device, and a discharging
unit for discharging the weighed object.
[0032] Here, in the combinational weighing device, the
above-described transportation device is used as a supply unit for
supplying an object to the weighing unit. Thus, a combinational
weighing device capable of smoothly transporting an object to the
weighing unit can be provided.
[0033] In a transportation device according to a ninth aspect based
on any one of the first through eighth aspects, the transportation
surface of the trough is inclined down and forward with respect to
the transportation direction. The transportation device further
comprises a driving unit for driving the reciprocating mechanism;
and a projection formed on the transportation surface of the
trough, wherein a face of the projection located at a forward
position with respect to the transportation direction is inclined
at a greater angle to the transportation surface than a face of the
projection located at a backward position with respect to the
transportation direction.
[0034] Here, in the transportation device for transporting an
object placed on the trough by swinging by the reciprocation
mechanism in a predetermined direction, the trough has a projection
formed on the transportation surface thereof, and a face of the
projection located at a forward position with respect to the
transportation direction is inclined at a greater angle to the
transportation surface than a face of the projection located at a
backward position with respect to the transportation direction.
[0035] In a transportation device for transporting an object in a
predetermined direction by swinging the trough forward and backward
with respect to the transportation direction, the following is
necessary in order to supply objects at a certain transportation
amount. In addition to realizing smooth transportation in the
forward transportation direction, unintended high velocity
transportation caused when, for example, the object slides down on
the trough needs to be prevented.
[0036] Under such circumstances, in a transportation device
according to the present aspect, the transportation surface of the
trough is inclined down and forward with respect to the
transportation direction, and also a projection having two faces
respectively formed at a forward position and a backward position
with respect to the transportation direction is provided on the
transportation surface of the trough.
[0037] Thus, the object can be smoothly transported forward with
respect to the transportation direction by the downward inclination
of the trough directed forward with respect to the transportation
direction and the swinging of the trough provided by the driving of
the reciprocating mechanism. The face of the projection having a
greater inclination angle can prevent the object from being
displaced backward with respect to the transportation direction
while the trough is being swung. In addition, the face of the
projection having a smaller inclination angle can prevent the
object from sliding down and forward with respect to the
transportation direction, which would be caused due to the downward
inclination of the transportation surface of the trough directed
forward with respect to the transportation direction. As a result,
smooth transportation of the object can be realized, and also
unintended high velocity transportation caused by the sliding-down
of the object can be prevented.
[0038] By combining the above-described structure and the control
by the reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating the trough to move
the trough forward with respect to the transportation direction at
a higher velocity than backward, an object such as a sticky object
can be transported more efficiently in a desired transportation
direction.
[0039] In a transportation device according to a tenth aspect based
on the ninth aspect, the reciprocating mechanism has a vertical
member for supporting the trough. The vertical member reciprocates
in a range between a first state in which the vertical member is
parallel to the vertical direction and a second state in which the
vertical member is inclined backward with respect to the
transportation direction.
[0040] Here, the vertical member, included in the reciprocating
mechanism for swinging the trough forward and backward with respect
to the transportation direction while supporting the trough,
reciprocates in a range including between a first state in which
the vertical member is parallel to the vertical direction and a
second state in which the vertical member is inclined backward with
respect to the transportation direction.
[0041] Thus, the object placed on the trough is supplied with a
force of throwing the object upward obliquely forward with respect
to the transportation direction. Therefore, a sticky object, for
example, which is difficult to be slid on the transportation
surface, can be smoothly transported in the predetermined
direction.
[0042] A transportation device according to an eleventh aspect
based on the ninth or tenth aspect further comprises a control unit
for controlling the driving on the reciprocating mechanism by the
driving unit. The control unit controls the driving unit such that
the trough reciprocates forward and backward with respect to the
transportation direction at an equal velocity.
[0043] Here, the control unit controls the driving unit such that
the trough reciprocates forward and backward with respect to the
transportation direction at an equal velocity.
[0044] Thus, as compared with the case where the moving velocity of
the trough is switched forward or backward with respect to the
transportation direction, the torque of the driving unit of the
motor or the like can be reduced, and the volume of the motor or
the like can be reduced. In addition, the control of the driving
unit can be simplified, and the controlling load on the control
unit can be alleviated.
[0045] In a transportation device according to a twelfth aspect
based on the eleventh aspect, the control unit controls the driving
unit such that the trough moves intermittently each time the trough
reciprocates forward and backward with respect to the
transportation direction.
[0046] Here, the control unit controls the driving unit such that
the trough moves intermittently at a predetermined interval each
time the trough reciprocates forward and backward with respect to
the transportation direction.
[0047] Thus, the object can be transported efficiently in the
predetermined direction.
[0048] A transportation device according to a thirteenth aspect
based on any one of the ninth through twelfth aspects further
comprises a generally circular dispersion table located upstream
with respect to the trough and swung so as to disperse objects
placed thereon from a center thereof, and a driving mechanism for
swinging the dispersion table.
[0049] Here, a dispersion unit for dispersing objects by swinging
the generally circular dispersion table having the objects placed
thereon is provided upstream with respect to the trough.
[0050] Thus, by transporting objects to a plurality of troughs
located around the generally circular dispersion table, the objects
placed on the dispersion table can be transported in the directions
of 360 degrees.
[0051] In a transportation device according to a fourteenth aspect
based on the thirteenth aspect, the dispersion table has a
projection formed on a circumferential end area of a surface
thereof on which the objects are to be placed, wherein a face of
the projection located at a forward position with respect to a
transportation direction on the dispersion table is inclined at a
greater angle to the transportation surface than a face of the
projection located at a backward position with respect to the
transportation direction.
[0052] Here, the objects are smoothly transported in the
predetermined direction by the projection formed on a surface of
the dispersion table on which the objects are to be placed.
[0053] Thus, the objects are prevented from being moved backward
with respect to the transportation direction by the face of the
projection located at a forward position with respect to the
transportation direction while the dispersion table is swinging,
and the objects are allowed to be transported at an appropriate
velocity by the face of the projection located at a backward
position with respect to the transportation direction.
[0054] In a transportation device according to a fifteenth aspect
based on the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, the dispersion table
is swung in a horizontal direction by the driving mechanism.
[0055] Here, the dispersion table located upstream with respect to
the trough is swung in a horizontal direction.
[0056] Thus, the objects can be smoothly transported to the
troughs.
[0057] A transportation device according to a sixteenth aspect
based on any one of the thirteenth through fifteenth aspects
further comprises a shutter mechanism, located between a
circumference end of the dispersion table and the trough, for
temporarily stopping transportation of the object.
[0058] Here, the shutter mechanism for inhibiting or permitting
transportation of the objects is provided between the dispersion
table and the trough to which the objects are supplied from the
dispersion table.
[0059] Thus, in the case where a plurality of troughs are located
around the dispersion table, a predetermined number of objects can
be supplied to each trough (for example, one for each trough) by
switching the shutter to be opened or closed by the shutter
mechanism.
[0060] A combinational weighing device according to a seventeenth
aspect comprises a transportation device according to any one of
the ninth through sixteenth aspects; a weighing unit for weighing
an object supplied from the transportation device; and a
discharging unit for discharging the weighed object.
[0061] Here, in the combinational weighing device, the
above-described transportation device is used as a supply unit for
supplying an object to the weighing unit.
[0062] Thus, a combinational weighing device capable of smoothly
transporting an object to the weighing unit and also capable of
preventing unintended high velocity transportation caused by the
sliding-down of the object on the transportation surface of the
trough can be provided.
[0063] A transportation device according to the present invention
includes a trough, a reciprocating mechanism, a driving unit, and a
projection. The trough places an object to be transported thereon,
and has a transportation surface inclined down and forward with
respect to the transportation direction. The reciprocating
mechanism swings the trough. The driving unit drives the
reciprocating mechanism. The projection is formed on the
transportation surface of the trough, and a face thereof located at
a forward position with respect to the transportation direction is
inclined at a greater angle to the transportation surface than a
face thereof located at a backward position with respect to the
transportation direction.
[0064] Here, in the transportation device for transporting an
object placed on the trough in a predetermined direction by
swinging the trough by the reciprocating mechanism, the projection
is formed, on which a face located at a forward position with
respect to the transportation direction is inclined at a greater
angle to the transportation surface than a face located at a
backward position with respect to the transportation direction.
[0065] In a transportation device for transporting an object in a
predetermined direction by swinging the trough forward and backward
with respect to the transportation direction in this manner, the
following is necessary in order to supply objects at a certain
transportation amount. In addition to realizing smooth
transportation in the forward transportation direction, unintended
high velocity transportation caused when, for example, the object
slides down on the trough needs to be prevented.
[0066] Under such circumstances, in a transportation device
according to the present invention, the transportation surface of
the trough is inclined down and forward with respect to the
transportation direction, and also a projection having two faces
respectively located at a forward position and a backward position
with respect to the transportation direction is provided on the
transportation surface of the trough.
[0067] Thus, the object can be smoothly transported forward with
respect to the transportation direction by the downward inclination
of the trough directed forward with respect to the transportation
direction and the swinging of the trough provided by the driving of
the reciprocating mechanism. The face of the projection having a
greater inclination angle can prevent the object from being
displaced backward with respect to the transportation direction
while the trough is being swung. In addition, the face of the
projection having a smaller inclination angle can prevent the
object from sliding down and forward with respect to the
transportation direction, which would be caused due to the downward
inclination of the transportation surface of the trough directed
forward with respect to the transportation direction. As a result,
smooth transportation of the object can be realized, and also
unintended high velocity transportation caused by the sliding-down
of the object can be prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0068] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a transportation
device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0069] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are respectively a side cross-sectional
view and a plan view of a trough included in the transportation
device shown in FIG. 1.
[0070] FIG. 3 is a front view of a movable range of a parallel link
included in the transportation device shown in FIG. 1.
[0071] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are respectively front views of two
supporting members.
[0072] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a transportation
device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
[0073] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are respectively a side cross-sectional
view and a plan view of a trough included in the transportation
device shown in FIG. 5.
[0074] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are respectively a side cross-sectional
view and a plan view of a trough included in a transportation
device according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0075] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 7A.
[0076] FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a structure of a
combinational weighing device according to Embodiment 3 of the
present invention.
[0077] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a structure of a
dispersion table and the vicinity thereof of the combinational
weighing device shown in FIG. 9.
[0078] FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating the confirmation test
results exhibiting transportation performance of the transportation
devices according to the present invention.
[0079] FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating the confirmation test
results exhibiting transportation performance of the transportation
devices according to the present invention.
[0080] FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating the confirmation test
results exhibiting transportation performance of the transportation
devices according to the present invention.
[0081] FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating the confirmation test
results exhibiting transportation performance of the transportation
devices according to the present invention.
[0082] FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of a transportation
device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0083] FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B are respectively a side
cross-sectional view and a plan view of a trough included in the
transportation device shown in FIG. 15.
[0084] FIG. 17 is a front view of a movable range of a parallel
link included in the transportation device shown in FIG. 15.
[0085] FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B are respectively front views of two
supporting members.
[0086] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 16A.
[0087] FIG. 20 is a schematic view illustrating a structure of a
combinational weighing device according to still another embodiment
of the present invention.
[0088] FIG. 21 is a detailed view of a dispersion table and the
vicinity thereof of the combinational weighing device shown in FIG.
20.
[0089] FIG. 22 is a plan view of a driving mechanism for swinging a
dispersion table included in a combinational weighing device
according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
[0090] FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B are respectively a side view and a
plan view of a dispersion table included in a combinational
weighing device according to still another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0091] FIG. 24 is a side view and a plan view showing a
transportation direction of an object from the dispersion table
shown in FIG. 23.
[0092] FIG. 25 is a graph illustrating the confirmation test
results exhibiting transportation performance of the transportation
devices according to the present invention.
[0093] FIG. 26 is a graph illustrating the confirmation test
results exhibiting transportation performance of the transportation
devices according to the present invention.
[0094] FIG. 27 is a graph illustrating the confirmation test
results exhibiting transportation performance of the transportation
devices according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0095] 10 Transportation device [0096] 11 Trough [0097] 11a, 11b
Projection [0098] 12 Motor box [0099] 13 Parallel link [0100] 13a
First link (vertical member) [0101] 13b Second link (vertical
member) [0102] 13c Third link [0103] 14 Rotatable motor (driving
section) [0104] 14a Disc member [0105] 14b Projection [0106] 15a
First recess [0107] 15b Second recess [0108] 16 Link member [0109]
20 Parallel link mechanism (reciprocating mechanism) [0110] 30
Control unit [0111] 40 Transportation device [0112] 41 Trough
[0113] 41a, 41b Projection [0114] 42 Trough [0115] 43 Projection
[0116] 43a First face [0117] 43b Second face [0118] 50
Combinational weighing device [0119] 52 Dispersion table [0120] 52a
Driving motor (driving mechanism) [0121] 52b Supporting unit [0122]
53 Supply trough group (transportation device) [0123] 54 Pool
hopper [0124] 55 Weighing hopper (weighing unit, discharging unit)
[0125] 56 Collecting and discharging chute [0126] 90 Supply
conveyer device [0127] 110 Transportation device [0128] 111 Trough
[0129] 111a, 111b Projection [0130] 112 Motor box [0131] 113
Parallel link [0132] 113a First link (vertical member) [0133] 113b
Second link (vertical member) [0134] 113c Third link [0135] 114
Rotatable motor (driving section) [0136] 114a Disc member [0137]
114b Projection [0138] 115a First recess [0139] 115b Second recess
[0140] 116 Link member [0141] 118 Projection [0142] 118a First face
[0143] 118b Second face [0144] 120 Parallel link mechanism
(reciprocating mechanism) [0145] 130 Control section [0146] 150
Combinational weighing device [0147] 152 Dispersion table [0148]
152a Driving motor (driving mechanism) [0149] 152b Supporting unit
[0150] 153 Supply trough group (transportation device) [0151] 154
Pool hopper [0152] 155 Weighing hopper (weighing unit, discharging
unit) [0153] 156 Collecting and discharging chute [0154] 157
Shutter mechanism [0155] 157a Shutter unit [0156] 157b Pivoting
unit [0157] 157c Driving unit [0158] 162 Dispersion table [0159]
162a Head portion [0160] 162b Donut-shaped member [0161] 164
Driving mechanism [0162] 164a Driving motor [0163] 164b Link
mechanism [0164] 168 Projection [0165] 168a First face [0166] 168b
Second face [0167] 190 Supply conveyer device [0168] D1, D2
Inclination angle [0169] P Object
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1
[0170] A transportation device according to one embodiment of the
present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1
through FIG. 4.
Overall Structure of Transportation Device 10
[0171] A transportation device 10 according to one embodiment of
the present invention is for transporting an object placed on a
trough 11 in a predetermined transportation direction. As shown in
FIG. 1, the transportation device 10 includes the trough 11, a
parallel link mechanism (reciprocating mechanism) 20, and a control
unit 30. With the transportation device 10, an object is
transported by reciprocating the trough 11 with respect to the
transportation direction by means of the parallel link mechanism
20. Also with the transportation device 10, the control unit 30
controls the trough 11 to reciprocate intermittently with respect
to the transportation direction after each reciprocation and to
move forward with respect to the transportation direction at a
higher velocity than backward with respect to the transportation
direction. The control unit 30 is connected to a rotatable motor 14
described below, and controls the rotation driving by the motor 14
and also controls the entirety of the transportation device 10.
Trough 11
[0172] The trough 11, on which an object for transportation is to
be placed, is a tray-like member of sheet metal which is formed by
bending a stainless-steel plate. As shown in FIG. 1, the trough 11
is provided just above a motor box 12 in the state where a
transportation surface thereof is horizontal. As shown in FIG. 2A
and FIG. 2B, the trough 11 has two projections 11a and two
projections 11b projecting vertically downward from a bottom
surface thereof. The projections 11a and 11b are coupled, via
screws or the like, with first recesses 15a and second recesses 15b
(see FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B) which are formed at one ends of two first
links (vertical members) 13a and two second links (vertical
members) 13b described later. Thus, the trough 11 is supported by
the first links 13a and the second links 13b.
[0173] With the transportation device 10 in this embodiment, a
rotation driving force is conveyed from the rotatable motor (drive
source) 14 in the motor box 12 to the trough 11 via a parallel link
13 described below. At this point, the trough 11 is reciprocated
forward and backward with respect to the transportation direction,
and thus an object is transported forward with respect to the
transportation direction.
Parallel Link Mechanism 20
[0174] The parallel link mechanism 20 is for reciprocating the
trough 11 forward and backward with respect to the transportation
direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the parallel link mechanism 20
comprises the motor box 12, the parallel link 13 (the first links
13a, the second links 13b, and third links 13c), and link members
16.
Motor Box 12
[0175] As shown in FIG. 1, the motor box 12 comprises the rotatable
motor 14 therein. By rotating the rotatable motor 14 in one
direction, the parallel link 13 (the first links 13a, the second
links 13b, and the third links 13c) is swung forward and backward
with respect to the transportation direction via the link members
16 described later.
[0176] The rotatable motor 14 is a stepping motor having disc
members 14a connected at tips of a rotation axis thereof. Each disc
member 14a has a projection 14b at a position far from the rotation
center of the rotatable motor 14. The projection 14b is connected
to the corresponding link member 16. One end of the link member 16
is connected to the second link 13b, and the other end of the link
member 16 is connected to the projection 14b. Thus, by merely
rotating the rotatable motor 14 in one direction, the parallel link
13 can be swung forward and backward. As a result, the trough 11
connected to the parallel link 13 can be reciprocated.
[0177] The rotation of the rotatable motor 14 is controlled by the
control unit 30 so as to move the trough 11 forward with respect to
the transportation direction shown in FIG. 1 at a higher velocity
than backward with respect to the transportation direction. The
rotatable motor 14 is also controlled by the control unit 30 to
perform so-called intermittent driving, i.e., to stop the trough 11
in a rear end area of a movable range of the trough 11 for a
predetermined time period after each reciprocation as shown in FIG.
1. Thus, the torque of the rotatable motor 14 can be reduced, which
allows a smaller volume of motor to be mounted.
[0178] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the motor box 12 is
located just below the trough 11. The present invention is not
limited to this, and the motor box 12 may be located, for example,
to the side of, or behind, the trough 11.
Parallel Link 13
[0179] The parallel link 13 comprises the first links 13a, the
second links 13b, and the third links 13c.
[0180] As shown in FIG. 1, one end of each first link 13a is
pivotably connected to the corresponding third link 13c and the
corresponding link member 16. The other end of each first link 13a
is pivotably connected to a corresponding side surface of the motor
box 12. One end of each second link 13b is pivotably connected to
the corresponding third link 13c, and the other end of each second
link 13b is pivotably connected to the corresponding side surface
of the motor box 12. Thus, when a rotation driving force is
conveyed from the rotatable motor 14 to the parallel link 13 via
the link members 16, the parallel link 13 swings forward and
backward within a vertical plane, around the connection points with
the motor box 12 as the pivoting center.
[0181] The first links 13a are provided at positions on the side
surfaces of the motor box 12, which are forward with respect to the
transportation direction as compared to the second links 13b. As
shown in FIG. 4A, each first link 13a has the first recess 15a at
one (upper) end thereof. The first recess 15a is formed to be open
upward in the vertical direction, and holds the projection 11a of
the trough 11 described above.
[0182] The second links 13b are provided at positions on the side
surfaces of the motor box 12 backward with respect to the
transportation direction as compared with the first links 13a. As
shown in FIG. 4B, each second link 13b has the second recess 15b at
one (upper) end thereof. The second recess 15b is formed to be open
forward with respect to the transportation direction in a
horizontal direction of the object, i.e., horizontally and inward
with respect to the parallel link mechanism 20, and holds the
projection 11b of the trough 11 described above.
[0183] As shown in FIG. 1, each third link 13c is connected to the
first link 13a and the second link 13b at the lower ends thereof.
Thus, by swinging the first link 13a connected to the link member
16, the second link 13b can also be swung. As a result, the
entirety of the parallel link 13 can be swung forward and backward
with respect to the transportation direction.
[0184] As shown in FIG. 3, the first link 13a and the second link
13b each pivot around the coupling point with the side surface of
the motor box 12 as the pivoting center, and swing forward and
backward with respect to the transportation direction in a range
between a position at which the links 13a and 13b are inclined
backward with respect to the transportation direction (second
state) and a position at which the links 13a and 13b are parallel
to the vertical direction (first state). By reciprocating the
trough 11 such that the movable range of the parallel link 13
includes a rear area with respect to the transportation direction
in this manner, the object on the trough 11 is supplied with a
force of throwing the object obliquely upward from the trough 11
forward with respect to the transportation direction. Therefore,
the object which is being transported is gradually transported
forward with respect to the transportation direction so as to be
thrown obliquely upward from the trough 11.
[0185] The parallel link 13 is attached to the trough 11 at a
position backward with respect to the transportation direction,
i.e., backward from the center of the trough 11.
Link Members 16
[0186] As shown in FIG. 1, one end of link member 16 is pivotably
connected to the parallel link 13 (the first link 13a and the link
member 16), and the other end of each link member 16 is pivotably
connected to the projection 14b of the disc member 14a of the
rotatable motor 14. When the rotatable motor 14 starts rotating,
the disc member 14a rotates. The link member 16 connected to the
projection 14b of the disc member 14a is secured so as to be
pivotable around the projection 14b as the pivoting center.
Therefore, the link member 16 can cause, by the rotation of the
rotatable motor 14, the parallel link 13 (the first link 13a)
connected to the other end of the link member 16 to swing forward
and backward, around the connection point with the motor box 12 as
the pivoting center.
[0187] As described above, with the transportation device 10 in
this embodiment, a rotation driving force of the rotatable motor 14
is conveyed to the parallel link 13 via the link 16, not directly
to the parallel link 13. Thus, the trough 11 can be reciprocated by
rotating the rotatable motor 14 in one direction, with no need to
rotate the rotatable motor 14 forward and backward.
Description of the Operation of the Transportation Device 10
[0188] Now, a process of transporting an object by the
transportation device 10 in this embodiment will be described.
[0189] First, when the user inputs an instruction to start the
transportation, the control unit 30 starts the rotation of the
rotatable motor 14 of the parallel link mechanism 20. A rotation
driving force from the rotatable motor 14 is conveyed to the
parallel link 13 (the first links 13a) via the link members 16 and
thus swings the parallel link 13 forward and backward within a
vertical plane which is parallel to the transportation direction.
Since the parallel link 13 which is being swung is connected to the
projections 11a and 11b projecting from the bottom surface of the
trough 11, the trough 11 can be reciprocated forward and backward
with respect to the transportation direction.
[0190] The parallel link 13 for reciprocating the trough 11 forward
and backward with respect to the transportation direction swings
forward and backward in the movable range shown in FIG. 3, with the
connection point between each first link 13a and the corresponding
third link 13c and the connection point between each second link
13b and the corresponding third link 13c being the pivoting
centers. In more detail, the first and second links 13a and 13b
swing forward and backward repeatedly between the first state where
the links 13a and 13b are parallel to the vertical direction and
the second state where the links 13a and 13b are inclined backward
with respect to the transportation direction. By swinging the first
and second links 13a and 13b forward and backward in a rear area
with respect to the transportation direction in this manner, the
trough 11 can be reciprocated so as to throw an object on the
trough 11 obliquely upward forward with respect to the
transportation direction. As a result, the object on the trough 11
can be supplied with a force directed obliquely upward. Therefore,
for example, even an object having a sticky surface, an object
absorbing vibration, or an object containing a significant amount
of moisture can be smoothly transported without being slid on the
transportation surface of the trough 11.
[0191] In addition, with the transportation device 10, the control
unit 30 controls the rotatable motor 14 so as to perform so-called
intermittent driving, i.e., to stop the trough 11 once for a
predetermined time period after each reciprocation. The trough 11
is stood still in an rear end area of the range in which the trough
11 is reciprocated. In the case where the trough 11 is controlled
to continuously reciprocate, an object may occasionally slide on
the transportation surface of the trough 11 and cannot be
transported forward with respect to the transportation direction.
By contrast, the transportation device 10 in this embodiment
controls the trough 11 to stand still once after each
reciprocation. With such control, the viscous resistance between
the transportation surface of the trough 11 and the object is
increased each time the trough 11 will be stationary. This can
prevent the situation in which the object slides on the
transportation surface of the trough 11 and cannot be properly
transported. The intermittent control can also allow a smaller
volume of motor to be mounted by reducing the torque of the
rotatable motor 14.
Features of the Transportation Device 10 in this Embodiment
[0192] (1)
[0193] As shown in FIG. 1, the transportation device 10 in this
embodiment transports an object placed on the trough 11 in a
predetermined direction by reciprocating the trough 11 by the
parallel link mechanism 20. The control unit 30 controls the
rotation driving of the rotatable motor 14 such that the trough 11
moves forward with respect to the transportation direction at a
higher velocity than backward.
[0194] Thus, an object having a sticky surface, an object absorbing
vibration or the like, which is difficult to be transported by a
conventional transportation mechanism of moving a trough backward
with respect to the transportation direction at a higher velocity
than forward, can be smoothly transported in a predetermined
transportation direction.
[0195] (2)
[0196] As shown in FIG. 1, the transportation device 10 in this
embodiment comprises the parallel link mechanism 20 comprises the
first and second links 13a and 13b for supporting the trough 11,
the rotatable motor 14, and the link members 16 as a mechanism for
reciprocating the trough 11 in the transportation direction. Thus,
a rotation driving force of the rotatable motor 14 is conveyed to
the first and second links 13a and 13b via the link members 16, and
thus the trough 11 can be reciprocated forward and backward with
respect to the transportation direction.
[0197] (3)
[0198] In the transportation device 10 in this embodiment, the
parallel link mechanism 20 as a reciprocating mechanism for
reciprocating the trough 11 in the transportation direction
comprises the first and second links 13a and 13b for supporting the
trough 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the first and second links 13a and
13b swing forward and backward between the first state where the
links 13a and 13b are parallel to the vertical direction and the
second state where the links 13a and 13b are inclined backward with
respect to the transportation direction.
[0199] By swinging the parallel link 13 (the first links 13a and
the second links 13b) forward and backward in a range including a
rear area with respect to the transportation direction in this
manner with respect to the transportation direction, the object on
the trough 11 can be supplied with a force directed obliquely
upward. As a result, the object on the trough 11 can be transported
so as to be thrown obliquely upward with respect to the
transportation direction. Therefore, even an object having a sticky
surface, an object absorbing vibration or the like can be smoothly
transported.
[0200] (4)
[0201] With the transportation device 10 in this embodiment, the
control unit 30 performs so-called intermittent driving of stopping
the trough 11 for a predetermined time period each time the trough
11 reciprocates forward and backward with respect to the
transportation direction, before driving the trough 11. Moreover,
the trough 11 is stood still in a rear end area of the range in
which the trough 11 is reciprocated.
[0202] By making the trough 11 stationary after each reciprocation,
the problem which occurs when the trough 11 is continuously
reciprocated, i.e., the problem that the object slides on the
transportation surface and cannot be properly transported, can be
avoided. In addition, as compared to the situation in which the
trough 11 is continuously reciprocated, the rotation frequency of
the rotatable motor 14 can be reduced, and the object can be
transported more efficiently.
[0203] (5)
[0204] The transportation device 10 in this embodiment uses, as an
object to be transported, an object having a sticky surface such as
pickles or the like, or an object liable to absorb vibration such
as chicken meat or the like.
[0205] Even such objects which are not properly transported by a
conventional transportation device can be smoothly transported by
the transportation device 10 in this embodiment.
Embodiment 2
[0206] A transportation device according to another embodiment of
the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5
through FIG. 8. Elements identical to those described above in
Embodiment 1 bear identical reference numeral thereto and
descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0207] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a transportation device 40 in
this embodiment is different from the transportation device 10 in
Embodiment 1 in the following point. The transportation device 40
uses a trough 41 inclined down and forward with respect to the
transportation direction, whereas the transportation device 10 uses
the trough 11 having a horizontal transportation surface.
[0208] As in Embodiment 1, the transportation device 40 conveys a
rotation driving force of the rotatable motor 14 to the parallel
link 13 (the first links 13a and the second links 13b) via the link
members 16 or the like. Thus, the first links 13a and the second
links 13b, which are coupled to projections 41a and 41b of the
trough 41 inclined down and forward with respect to the
transportation direction, are swung forward and backward with
respect to the transportation direction, and thus an object placed
on the trough 41 is transported.
[0209] As with the transportation device 10 in Embodiment 1, the
control unit 30 moves the trough 11 forward with respect to the
transportation direction at a higher velocity than when moving it
backward.
[0210] Namely, the transportation device 40 in this embodiment
provides the trough 41 inclined downward forward with respect to
the transportation direction, in addition to the control unit 30
controlling the trough 41 to move forward with respect to the
transportation direction at a higher velocity than when it is
moving backward.
[0211] Thus, for example, even an object having a sticky surface,
an object that absorbs vibration, or an object containing a
significant amount of moisture, which is difficult to be
transported by a standard transportation mechanism, can be smoothly
transported for the following reasons. The downward inclination of
the trough 41 makes it easier to drop the object forward, and the
control of transporting the trough 41 forward with respect to the
transportation direction at a higher velocity increases the angle
at which the object is thrown upward from the transportation
surface of the trough 41, and therefore makes it easier for a force
to act in a direction of separating the object from the
transportation surface of the trough 41.
[0212] In the transportation device 40 in this embodiment, the
transportation surface of the trough 41 inclined downward is flat.
However, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a trough 42 having a
plurality of projections 43 each formed of a first face 43a and a
second face 43b formed on a transportation surface thereof is also
usable.
[0213] The projections 43 are formed so as to project upward from
the transportation surface of the trough 42. Each first face 43a is
located at a forward position with respect to the transportation
direction as compared with the corresponding second face 43b. An
intersection of each projection 43 at which the first face 43a and
the second face 43b cross each other is a portion of the projection
43 which projects from the transportation surface of the trough 42
by the greatest amount. As shown in FIG. 8, the first face 43a and
the second face 43b are formed such that an inclination angle D1 of
the first face 43a with respect to the transportation surface of
the trough 42 is greater than an inclination angle D2 of the second
face 43b with respect to the transportation surface.
[0214] In the situation in which the trough 42 having the
projections 43 formed on the transportation surface thereof is
used, when the trough 42 is reciprocated forward and backward with
respect to the transportation direction, the following occurs. An
object on the trough 42 is transported forward with respect to the
transportation direction by the reciprocation of the trough 42 and
the inclination of the trough 42. While the object is being
transported, the first face 43a suppresses the object from moving
backward with respect to the transportation direction, and the
second face 43b prevents the object from sliding down on the trough
42 which is inclined forward with respect to the transportation
direction.
Features of the Transportation Device 40 in this Embodiment
[0215] (1)
[0216] In the transportation device 40 in this embodiment, the
transportation surface of the trough 41 is inclined downward
forward with respect to the transportation direction.
[0217] Thus, even an object, for example, having a sticky surface,
absorbing vibration, or containing a significant amount of
moisture, which is usually difficult to be transported, can be
smoothly transported by the downward inclination of the trough 41
and the control of moving the trough 41 forward with respect to the
transportation direction at a higher velocity than backward.
[0218] (2)
[0219] The transportation device 40 in this embodiment may use the
trough 42 having projections 43 each including the first face 43a
and the second face 43b on the transportation surface thereof. As
shown in FIG. 8, each projection 43 is formed such that the
inclination angle D1 of the first face 43a with respect to the
transportation surface is greater than the inclination angle D2 of
the second face 43b with respect to the transportation surface.
[0220] Thus, for example, even an object having a sticky surface,
an object absorbing vibration, or an object containing a
significant amount of moisture, which is difficult to be
transported by a standard transportation system, can be smoothly
transported since the first face 43a suppresses the object from
moving backward with respect to the transportation direction. In
addition, the second face 43b can solve the problem that, for
example, the object slides down when the trough 42 is stopped
reciprocating.
[0221] As a result, satisfactory transportation can be provided
regardless of the type of the object by combining (i) movement of
the trough 42 forward with respect to the transportation direction
at a higher velocity than backwardly and (ii) the first face 43a
and the second face 43b of the projections 43 formed on the
transportation surface of the trough 42. In the case where the
downward inclination of the trough 41 or 42 is added to the
above-mentioned combination, the object can be transported more
efficiently.
Example 1
[0222] Now, with reference to FIG. 11 through FIG. 13, test results
on the transportation performance of the transportation device 10
in Embodiment 1 will be described.
[0223] In a transportation performance confirmation test performed
here, a transportation system of moving the trough 11 forward with
respect to the transportation direction at a higher velocity than
backward (hereinafter, this system will be referred to as "FF")
with respect to a transportation direction, and a transportation
system of moving the trough 11 backward with respect to the
transportation direction at a higher velocity than forward
hereinafter, this system will be referred to as "FB"), were
compared. As the object to be transported, chicken meat was used.
The transportation was performed under the condition of
intermittent driving control.
[0224] As shown in FIG. 11, it was found that the object can be
transported more smoothly by the FF system than by the FB system
under the above-mentioned condition. For example, the test result
of the FF system in which the forward moving velocity of the trough
is 1500 pps and the backward moving velocity is 500 pps shows that
the object is transported at 23.1 mm/s. In contrast, the test
result of the FB system in which the moving velocities are inverted
shows that the object is transported backward with respect to the
transportation direction. Similarly, the test result of the FF
system in which the forward moving velocity of the trough is 1000
pps and the backward moving velocity is 500 pps shows that the
object is transported forward with respect to the transportation
direction more efficiently than the FB system in which the moving
velocities are inverted.
[0225] From the test results shown in FIG. 11, it was found that
chicken meat can be transported forward with respect to the
transportation direction more smoothly by the FF system than by the
FB system.
[0226] Regarding the FF system, the time required to transport the
trough 11 by 200 mm was measured using the parameters regarding
whether the reciprocation of the trough 11 should be performed by
intermittent driving control or continuous driving control, whether
the transportation surface of the trough 11 should have projections
18 or not, and whether the first and second links 13a and 13b
should be movable in a range so as to move the object horizontally
or so as to throw the object upward (movable backward).
[0227] First, the results on whether the reciprocation of the
trough 11 should be performed by intermittent driving control or
continuous driving control will be described. As shown in the test
results in FIG. 12, in the case where the forward moving velocity
is 1500 pps and the backward moving velocity is 500 pps, the
transportation velocity is higher with the continuous driving
control. It is appreciated, through, in the case where the forward
moving velocity is 1500 pps and the backward moving velocity is
1000 pps and where the forward moving velocity is 1500 pps and the
backward moving velocity is 800 pps, the transportation velocity is
higher with the intermittent driving control although the
difference is about 0.5 to 1.0 second. Therefore, in order to
transport an object at a higher velocity, it is preferable to
select the intermittent driving control or the continuous driving
control in accordance with the object to be transported or the
forward and backward moving velocities.
[0228] Next, the results on whether the transportation surface of
the trough 11 should have projections 18 or not will be described.
From the test results in FIG. 13, it is clearly appreciated that
transportation time can be significantly reduced by forming the
projections 18 on the transportation surface of the trough 11. For
example, as shown in FIG. 13, in the case where the transportation
surface of the trough 11 has the projections (with projections),
the transportation time can be significantly reduced as compared
with the test results of the case where the transportation surface
is flat (without projections), both when the trough is driven so as
to move the object horizontally and when the trough is driven so as
to throw the object upward (11.6 s to 4.7 s; 8.2 s to 3.5 s). It
was found from this that the transportation time can be reduced by
forming the projections 18 on the transportation surface of the
trough 11.
[0229] The results on whether the trough 11 should be reciprocated
by horizontal driving control or by throw-upward driving control as
shown in FIG. 3 will be described. It was found that the
transportation time can be reduced by the throw-upward driving
control. For example, the test results of the case where the
transportation surface of the trough 11 is flat with no projections
18 show that the transportation time is 11.6 s by the horizontal
driving control and is 8.2 s by the throw-upward driving control.
The test results of the case where the transportation surface of
the trough 11 has the projections 18 show that the transportation
time is 4.7 s by the horizontal driving control and is 3.5 s by the
throw-upward driving control. Therefore, it was found that the
transportation time can be reduced by the throw-upward driving
control under both conditions. From the test results shown in FIG.
14, it was found that the transportation time can be significantly
reduced by forming the projections 18 on the transportation surface
of the trough 11.
[0230] Referring to the above-described test results, it was found
that the transportation time can be reduced by (i) forming the
projections 18 on the transportation surface of the trough 11 and
(ii) reciprocating the trough 11 in a range including an inclined
position of the trough 11 backward with respect to the
transportation direction so as to throw the object upward forward
with respect to the transportation direction rather than
reciprocating the trough 11 horizontally.
[0231] By adding the condition of inclining the trough 11 down and
forward with respect to the transportation direction to the
above-described conditions, the object which is being transported
is more easily transported forward with respect to the
transportation direction. Therefore, the transportation time can be
further reduced.
Embodiment 3
[0232] A combinational weighing device including a transportation
device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention
will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.
Overall Structure of Combinational Weighing Device 50
[0233] As shown in FIG. 9, a combinational weighing device 50
according to this embodiment performs combinational weighing such
that an assembly of objects to be weighed has a predetermined
weight or a predetermined number, using measurement values of a
plurality of weighing hoppers (weighing unit, discharging unit) 55.
The combinational weighing device 50 includes the transportation
device 40 described above in Embodiment 2 as a supply trough group
53. The structure of the supply trough group 53 is substantially
the same as that of the transportation device 40 described above in
Embodiment 2. Therefore, elements thereof bear identical reference
numeral thereto and the detailed description of the structure will
be omitted.
[0234] The combinational weighing device 50 mainly includes a
cone-shaped dispersion table 52 located just below a position to
which an object to be weighed (hereinafter, referred to as an
"object") is dropped by a supply conveyer device 90 provided at a
previous stage, the supply trough group (transportation device) 53
located around the dispersion table 52, a plurality of pool hoppers
54 and weighing hoppers (weighing unit, discharging unit) 55, and a
collecting and discharging chute 56.
[0235] As shown in FIG. 10, the dispersion table 52 is an
umbrella-like circular plate, and is continuously rotated by a
driving motor (driving mechanism) 52a. Objects supplied to a top
surface of the dispersion table 52 from the supply conveyer 90 move
to the supply trough group 53 while being dispersed by a
centrifugal force.
[0236] Each trough 41 of the supply trough group 53 transports an
object in a transportation direction (outward in a radial direction
of a circle having the dispersion table 52 at the center) by a
rotation driving force of the rotatable motor 14 (see FIG. 1) being
conveyed to the trough 41 via the parallel link 13 or the like.
[0237] Each pool hopper 54 receives an object from the supply
trough group 53, temporarily pools the object, opens an open/close
gate provided at a lower position thereof by an instruction of a
control unit (not shown), and supplies the object to the
corresponding weighing hopper 55.
[0238] Each weighing hopper 55 is provided below the corresponding
pool hopper 54. A plurality of pool hoppers 54 and weighing hoppers
55 are provided along a circumferential direction in correspondence
with the troughs 41. Each weighing hopper 55 has a load cell (not
shown) for weighing the object therein. Each weighing hopper 55
also has an open/close gate (not shown) at a lower position of the
load cell for throwing the object to the collecting and discharging
chute 56 in order to allow the weighing hopper 55 to act as a
discharging unit.
[0239] The collecting and discharging chute 56 collects the objects
thrown from the weighing hoppers 55 and flows the objects down to a
device at a subsequent stage, such as a packaging device or the
like.
Structure of the Dispersion Table 52
[0240] The dispersion table 52 is located at the center of the
supply trough group 53 located circumferentially, and upstream with
respect to, and immediately adjacent to, the supply trough group
53. The dispersion table 52 transports objects supplied from the
supply conveyer device 90 toward the supply trough group 53.
[0241] The dispersion table 52 receives a rotation driving force
from the driving motor driving mechanism) 52a to continuously
rotate in a horizontal direction. More specifically, the rotation
driving force of the driving motor 52a is conveyed to a support
unit 52b for supporting the dispersion table 52 via a plurality of
gears (not shown), and therefore the dispersion table 52 connected
to the supporting unit 52b is rotated in the horizontal direction.
Thus, a centrifugal force can be applied to the objects supplied to
the dispersion table 52, and the objects can be transported
substantially uniformly to a plurality of troughs 41 in the supply
trough group 53 located so as to surround the dispersion table
52.
Features of the Combinational Weighing Device 50
[0242] (1)
[0243] As shown in FIG. 9, the combinational weighing device 50 in
this embodiment includes a plurality of transportation devices 40
described above in Embodiment 2 as the supply trough group 53 in
addition to the dispersion table 52, the pool hoppers 54, and the
weighing hoppers 55.
[0244] Thus, even when the object to be transported has a sticky
surface, absorbs vibration, or contains a significant amount of
moisture (e.g., pickles, chicken meat, etc.), such an object can be
smoothly transported to the pool hopper 54 provided at a downstream
position.
Other Embodiments
[0245] The present invention has been described by way of
embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the
above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0246] (A)
[0247] In Embodiments 1 to 3, as shown in FIG. 3, the trough 11 is
reciprocated by moving the first links 13a and the second links 13b
between the first state where the links 13a and 13b are parallel to
the vertical direction and the second state where the links 13a and
13b are inclined backward with respect to the transportation
direction. The present invention is not limited to this.
[0248] For example, the parallel link 13 may be reciprocated in a
range including a position at which the links 13a and 13b are
inclined forward with respect to the transportation direction as
compared with the vertical direction. In this case also, since the
first links 13a and the second links 13b are moved in a range
including the position at which the links 13a and 13b are inclined
backward with respect to the transportation direction, the object
can be transported so as to be thrown upward.
[0249] The transportation device may merely transport an object
forward with respect to the transportation direction at a higher
velocity than backward, without determining the movable range of
the first links 13a and the second links 13b such that the object
is transported so as to be thrown upward. In this case also, an
object such as chicken meat or the like can be smoothly transported
in a predetermined direction as described in the above
embodiments.
[0250] (B)
[0251] In Embodiments 1 to 3, the reciprocation of the trough 11 is
realized by the parallel link mechanism 20. The present invention
is not limited to this, and the reciprocation of the trough 11 may
be realized by other transportation mechanisms.
[0252] (C)
[0253] In Embodiments 1 to 3, the reciprocation of the trough 11 is
performed intermittently. The present invention is not limited to
this.
[0254] For example, even when the trough 11 is continuously driven,
an object which is usually difficult to be transported can be
properly transported by the FF system described above.
[0255] Notably, though, it is preferable to perform intermittent
driving control as in Embodiments 1 to 3, in order to improve the
driving efficiency by the rotatable motor 14. Therefore, the
intermittent driving control and the continuous driving control are
preferably combined when necessary in accordance with the type of
the object to be transported or the moving velocity of the trough
11.
[0256] (D)
[0257] In Embodiments 1 to 3, chicken meat, pickles or the like is
used as the object to be transported. The present invention is not
limited to this.
[0258] For example, objects which have a sticky surface, are soft
and absorb vibration, or contain a significant amount of moisture
other than those described above, which are difficult to be
transported by a standard transportation mechanism (for example, a
transportation mechanism for transporting a trough backward with
respect to the transportation direction at a higher velocity than
forward), can be satisfactorily transported by a transportation
device according to the present invention.
[0259] (E)
[0260] In Embodiment 3, the transportation devices 40, described in
Embodiment 2, including the trough 41 having a transportation
surface inclined down are provided as the supply trough group 53.
The present invention is not limited to this.
[0261] For example, the transportation device 10, described above
in Embodiment 1, including the trough 11 having a flat
transportation surface may be applied.
Embodiment 4
[0262] A transportation device according to one embodiment of the
present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 15
through FIG. 19.
Overall Structure of Transportation Device 110
[0263] A transportation device 110 according to one embodiment of
the present invention is for transporting an object placed on a
trough 111 in a predetermined transportation direction. As shown in
FIG. 15, the transportation device 110 comprises the trough 111, a
parallel link mechanism (reciprocating mechanism) 120, and a
control unit 130. With the transportation device 110, an object is
transported by reciprocating the trough 111 with respect to the
transportation direction by the parallel link mechanism 120. Also
with the transportation device 110, the control unit 130 controls
the trough 11 to reciprocate intermittently to stop after each
reciprocation and to move forward and backward with respect to the
transportation direction at an equal velocity. The control unit 130
is connected to a rotatable motor 114 described below, and controls
the rotation driven by the motor 114 and also controls the entirety
of the transportation device 110.
Trough 111
[0264] The trough 111, on which an object for transportation is to
be placed, is a tray-like member of steel metal, which is formed by
bending a stainless-steel plate. As shown in FIG. 15, the trough
111 is provided just above a motor box 112 in the state where a
transportation surface thereof is inclined down and forward with
respect to the transportation direction. As shown in FIG. 16A and
FIG. 16B, the trough 111 has two projections 111a and two
projections 111b projecting vertically downward from a bottom
surface thereof. The projections 111a and 111b are coupled, via
screws or the like, with first recesses 115a and second recesses
115b (see FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B) which are formed at one ends of
two first links (vertical members) 113a and two second links
(vertical members) 113b described below. Thus, the trough 111 is
supported by the first links 113a and the second links 113b.
[0265] With the transportation device 110 in this embodiment, a
rotation driving force is conveyed from the rotatable motor (drive
source) 114 in the motor box 112 to the trough 111 via a parallel
link 113 described below. At this point, the trough 111 is
reciprocated forward and backward with respect to the
transportation direction, and thus an object is transported forward
with respect to the transportation direction.
[0266] As shown in FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B, the trough 111 has a
plurality of projections 118 on a transportation surface thereof.
Each projection 118 is formed of a first face 118a and a second
face 118b. The projections 118 are formed so as to project upward
from the transportation surface of the trough 111. Each first face
118a is located at a forward position with respect to the
transportation direction as compared with the corresponding second
face 118b. A portion of each projection 118 at which the first face
118a and the second face 118b cross each other is a portion of the
projection 118 which projects from the transportation surface of
the trough 111 by the greatest amount. As shown in FIG. 19, the
first face 118a and the second face 118b are formed such that an
inclination angle D1 of the first face 118a with respect to the
transportation surface of the trough 111 is greater than an
inclination angle D2 of the second face 118b with respect to the
transportation surface. Therefore, when the trough 111 is
reciprocated forward and backward with respect to the
transportation direction, the following occurs. An object on the
trough 111 is transported forward with respect to the
transportation direction by the reciprocation of the trough 111 and
the inclination of the trough 111. While the object is being
transported, the first face 118a prevents the object from moving
backward with respect to the transportation direction, and the
second face 118b prevents the object from sliding down along the
trough 111 inclined forward with respect to the transportation
direction.
Parallel Link Mechanism 120
[0267] The parallel link mechanism 120 is for moving the trough 111
forward and backward with respect to the transportation direction
at an equal velocity. As shown in FIG. 15, the parallel link
mechanism 120 comprises the motor box 112, the parallel link 113
(the first links 113a, the second links 113b, and third links
113c), and link members 116.
Motor Box 112
[0268] As shown in FIG. 15, the motor box 112 comprises the
rotatable motor (driving unit) 114 therein. By rotating the
rotatable motor 114 in one direction, the parallel link 113 (the
first links 113a, the second links 113b, and the third links 113c)
is swung forward and backward with respect to the transportation
direction via the link members 116 described below.
[0269] The rotatable motor 114 is a stepping motor having disc
members 114a connected at tips of a rotation axis thereof. Each
disc member 114a has a projection 114b at a position far from the
rotation center of the rotatable motor 114. The projection 114b is
connected to the corresponding link member 116. One end of the link
member 116 is connected to the second link 113b, and the other end
of the link member 116 is connected to the projection 114b. Thus,
by merely rotating the rotatable motor 114 in one direction, the
parallel link 113 can be swung forward and backward. As a result,
the trough 111 connected to the parallel link 113 can be
reciprocated.
[0270] The rotation of the rotatable motor 114 is controlled by the
control unit 130 so as to reciprocate the trough 111 forward and
backward with respect to the transportation direction shown in FIG.
15 at an equal velocity. The rotatable motor 114 is also controlled
by the control unit 130 to perform so-called intermittent driving,
i.e., to stop the trough 111 for a predetermined time period after
each reciprocation. Thus, the torque of the rotatable motor 114 can
be reduced, which allows a smaller volume of motor to be
mounted.
[0271] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the motor box 112
is located just below the trough 111. The present invention is not
limited to this, and the motor box 112 may be located, for example,
to the side of, or behind, the trough 111.
Parallel Link 113
[0272] The parallel link 113 comprises the first links 113a, the
second links 113b, and the third links 113c.
[0273] As shown in FIG. 15, one end of each first link 113a is
pivotably connected to the corresponding third link 113c and the
corresponding link member 116. The other end of each first link
113a is pivotably connected to a corresponding side surface of the
motor box 112. One end of each second link 113b is pivotably
connected to the corresponding third link 113c, and the other end
of each second link 113b is pivotably connected to the
corresponding side surface of the motor box 112. Thus, when a
rotation driving force is conveyed from the rotatable motor 114 to
the parallel link 113 via the link members 116, the parallel link
113 swings forward and backward within a vertical plane, around the
connection points with the motor box 112 as the pivoting
center.
[0274] The first links 113a are provided at positions on the side
surfaces of the motor box 112 forward with respect to the
transportation direction as compared to the second links 113b. As
shown in FIG. 18A, each first link 113a has the first recess 115a
at one (upper) end thereof. The first recess 115a is formed to be
open upward in the vertical direction, and holds the one projection
111a of the trough 111 described above.
[0275] The second links 113b are provided at positions on the side
surfaces of the motor box 112 backward with respect to the
transportation direction as compared with the first links 113a. As
shown in FIG. 18B, each second link 113b has the second recess 115b
at one (upper) end thereof. The second recess 115b is formed to be
open forward with respect to the transportation direction in a
horizontal direction of the object, i.e., horizontally and inward
with respect to the parallel link mechanism 120, and holds the
other projection 111b of the trough 111 described above.
[0276] As shown in FIG. 15, each third link 113c is connected to
the first link 113a and the second link 113b at the lower ends
thereof. Thus, by swinging the first link 113a connected to the
link member 116, the second link 113b can also be swung. As a
result, the entirety of the parallel link 113 can be swung forward
and backward with respect to the transportation direction.
[0277] As shown in FIG. 17, the first link 113a and the second link
113b each pivot around the coupling point with the side surface of
the motor box 112 as the pivoting center, and swing forward and
backward with respect to the transportation direction in a range
between a position at which the links 113a and 113b are inclined
backward with respect to the transportation direction (second
state) and a position at which the links 113a and 113b are parallel
to the vertical direction (first state). By reciprocating the
trough 111 such that the movable range of the parallel link 113
includes a rear area with respect to the transportation direction
in this manner, the object on the trough 111 is supplied with a
force of throwing the object obliquely upward from the trough 111
forward with respect to the transportation direction. Therefore,
the object which is being transported is gradually transported
forward with respect to the transportation direction so as to be
thrown obliquely upward from the trough 111.
[0278] The parallel link 113 is attached to the trough 111 at a
position backward with respect to the transportation direction,
i.e., backward from the center of the trough 111.
Link Members 116
[0279] As shown in FIG. 15, one end of link member 116 is pivotably
connected to the parallel link 113 (the first link 113a and the
link member 116), and the other end of each link member 116 is
pivotably connected to the projection 114b of the disc member 114a
of the rotatable motor 114. When the rotatable motor 114 starts
rotating, the disc member 114a rotates. The link member 116
connected to the projection 114b of the disc member 114a is secured
so as to be pivotable around the projection 114b as the pivoting
center. Therefore, the link member 116 can cause, by the rotation
of the rotatable motor 114, the parallel link 113 (the first link
113a) connected to the other end of the link member 116 to swing
forward and backward, around the connection point with the motor
box 112 as the pivoting center.
[0280] As described above, with the transportation device 110 in
this embodiment, a rotation driving force of the rotatable motor
114 is conveyed to the parallel link 113 via the link member 116,
not directly to the parallel link 113. Thus, the trough 111 can be
reciprocated by rotating the rotatable motor 114 in one direction,
with no need to rotate the rotatable motor 114 forward and
backward.
Description of the Operation of the Transportation Device 110
[0281] Now, a process of transporting an object by the
transportation device 110 in this embodiment will be described.
[0282] First, when the user inputs an instruction to start the
transportation, the control unit 130 starts the rotation of the
rotatable motor 114 of the parallel link mechanism 120. A rotation
driving force from the rotatable motor 114 is conveyed to the
parallel link 113 (the first links 113a) via the link members 116
and thus swings the parallel link 113 forward and backward within a
vertical plane which is parallel to the transportation direction.
Since the parallel link 113 which is being swung is connected to
the projections 111a and 111b projecting from the bottom surface of
the trough 111, the trough 111 can be reciprocated forward and
backward with respect to the transportation direction.
[0283] The parallel link 113 for reciprocating the trough 111
forward and backward with respect to the transportation direction
swings forward and backward in the movable range shown in FIG. 17,
with the connection point between each first link 113a and the
corresponding third link 113c and the connection point between each
second link 113b and the corresponding third link 113c being the
pivoting centers. More specifically, the first and second links
113a and 113b swing forward and backward repeatedly between the
first state where the links 113a and 113b are parallel to the
vertical direction and the second state where the links 113a and
113b are inclined backward with respect to the transportation
direction. By swinging the first and second links 113a and 113b
forward and backward in a rear area with respect to the
transportation direction in this manner, the trough 111 can be
reciprocated so as to throw an object on the trough 111 obliquely
upward forward with respect to the transportation direction. As a
result, the object on the trough 111 can be supplied with a force
directed obliquely upward. Therefore, for example, even an object
having a sticky surface or an object absorbing vibration can be
smoothly transported.
[0284] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15 and
FIG. 16, the trough 111 reciprocating forward and backward with
respect to the transportation direction is inclined down and
forward with respect to the transportation direction as described
above. The projections 118 are formed on the transportation surface
of the trough 111. The projections 118 each include the first face
118a and the second face 118b. The first face 118a is formed at a
position forward with respect to the transportation direction,
whereas the second face 118b is formed at a position backward with
respect to the transportation direction. As shown in FIG. 19, the
first face 118a is formed to have a greater inclination angle with
respect to the transportation surface of the trough 111 than the
second face 118b (inclination angle D1>inclination angle D2).
Therefore, the first face 118a can suppress the object which is
being transported from moving backward with respect to the
transportation direction while the trough 111 is reciprocating with
respect to the transportation direction. The second face 118b can
suppress the problem that the object which is being transported
slides down along the transportation surface at a velocity higher
than necessary due to the downward inclination of the trough 111
directed forward with respect to the transportation direction.
Thus, by combining (i) the downward inclination of the trough 111
directed forward with respect to the transportation direction and
(ii) formation of the projections 118 on the trough 111, even an
object having a sticky surface, an object absorbing vibration or
the like can be smoothly transported without being transported at a
velocity higher than necessary.
[0285] As described above, the reciprocation of the trough 111 is
controlled by the control unit 130 such that the trough 111 moves
forward and backward with respect to the transportation direction
at an equal velocity. Thus, an object can be transported in the
state in which the load on the driving unit (rotatable motor 114)
is reduced, and the controlling load on the control unit 30 can be
alleviated as compared with the case where the trough 111 is
controlled to move forward and backward with respect to the
transportation direction at different velocities. In addition, the
trough 111 is moved intermittently, i.e., is stopped for a
predetermined time period each time the trough 111 reciprocates
forward and backward with respect to the transportation direction.
Therefore, the number of times that the trough 111 is reciprocated
can be reduced and an object can be transported more efficiently as
compared with the case where the trough 111 is controlled to be
continuously reciprocated.
Features of the Transportation Device 110 in this Embodiment
(1)
[0286] As shown in FIG. 15, the transportation device 110 in this
embodiment transports an object placed on the trough 111 in a
predetermined direction by reciprocating the trough 111 by the
parallel link mechanism 120. The trough 111 is inclined down and
forward with respect to the transportation direction. As shown in
FIG. 16, the trough 111 has the projections 118, each including the
first face 118a and the second face 118b, formed on the
transportation surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 19, the
inclination angle D1 of the first face 118a with respect to the
transportation surface is greater than the inclination angle D2 of
the second face 118b with respect to the transportation
surface.
[0287] Therefore, for example, even an object to be transported
having a sticky surface or an object absorbing vibration, which is
usually difficult to be transported, can be smoothly transported
owing to the downward inclination of the trough 111 and the
suppression of the object from moving backward with respect to the
transportation direction by the first face 118a. Moreover, even
though the trough 111 is inclined down and forward with respect to
the transportation direction, the second face 118b can prevent the
problems, for example, that the object is transported at a velocity
higher than necessary and that the object slides down when the
trough 111 stops reciprocating. As a result, satisfactory
transportation can be provided regardless of the type of the object
by combining (i) the downward inclination of the trough 111
directed forward with respect to the transportation direction and
(ii) the first face 118a and the second face 118b of the
projections 118 formed on the transportation surface of the trough
111.
(2)
[0288] In the transportation device 110 in this embodiment, the
parallel link mechanism 120 as a reciprocating mechanism for
reciprocating the trough 111 in the transportation direction
comprises the first and second links 113a and 113b for supporting
the trough 111. As shown in FIG. 17, the first and second links
113a and 113b swing forward and backward between the first state
where the links 113a and 113b are parallel to the vertical
direction and the second state where the links 113a and 113b are
inclined backward with respect to the transportation direction.
[0289] By swinging the parallel link 113 (the first links 113a and
the second links 113b) forward and backward in a range including a
rear area with respect to the transportation direction in this
manner, the object on the trough 111 can be supplied with a force
directed obliquely upward with respect to the transportation
direction. As a result, the object on the trough 111 can be
transported so as to be thrown obliquely upward with respect to the
transportation direction. Therefore, even an object having a sticky
surface, an object absorbing vibration or the like can be smoothly
transported.
(3)
[0290] With the transportation device 110 in this embodiment, the
control unit 130 controls the rotation driving of the rotatable
motor 114 such that the trough 111 moves forward and backward with
respect to the transportation direction at an equal velocity.
[0291] Thus, the torque of the rotatable motor 114 can be reduced
to allow a motor having a smaller volume to be used, and the
driving controlling load on the control unit 130 can be alleviated
as compared with, for example, a mechanism for moving the trough
111 forward and backward with respect to the transportation
direction at different velocities such as the fast backward
transportation mechanism or the like.
(4)
[0292] With the transportation device 110 in this embodiment, the
control unit 130 performs so-called intermittent driving of
stopping the trough 111 in a predetermined time period each time
the trough 111 reciprocates forward and backward with respect to
the transportation direction.
[0293] Thus, the rotation frequency of the rotatable motor 114 can
be reduced and the object can be transported more efficiently as
compared with the case where the trough 111 is continuously
reciprocated.
Example 2
[0294] Now, with reference to FIG. 25 through FIG. 27, test results
on the transportation performance of the transportation device 110
described in Embodiment 4 will be described. In the transportation
device 110, the downward inclination of the trough 111 and the
projections 118 on the transportation surface of the trough 111 are
combined.
[0295] A transportation performance confirmation test was performed
regarding the transportation distance of 200 mm, using chicken meat
as the object to be transported, under the condition that the
trough 111 is transported forward and backward with respect to the
transportation direction at an equal velocity (1200 pps). The test
was performed on whether the trough 111 should be inclined or not,
whether the trough 111 should have the projections 118 on the
transportation surface thereof or not, and whether the first and
second links 113a and 113b should be movable in a range so as to
move the object horizontally or so as to throw the object upward
(movable backward).
[0296] First, the results on whether the trough 111 should be
inclined or not will be described. Comparing the test results in
shown in FIG. 25 with no downward inclination and the results shown
in FIG. 26 with downward inclination, it was found that the
transportation time of chicken meat is significantly reduced in the
test results in which the trough 111 is inclined downward, as
opposed to the case where the trough 111 is flat (with no downward
inclination). For example, comparing the test results in the case
where the transportation surface is flat (with no projections), the
transportation time is 10 seconds or longer with no downward
inclination (FIG. 25), but is reduced to 4 seconds or shorter with
downward inclination (FIG. 26). From this, it was found that the
transportation time can be reduced by inclining the transportation
surface of the trough 111 down and forward with respect to the
transportation direction.
[0297] Next, the results on whether the transportation surface of
the trough 111 should have projections 118 or not will be
described. It is clear from the test results in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26
that the transportation time can be significantly reduced by
forming the projections 118 on the transportation surface of the
trough 111. For example, as shown by the test results in FIG. 25,
the transportation time is 10 seconds or longer with the flat
transportation surface (with no projections), but is reduced to
about 1 second with the projections 118. Similarly as shown by the
test results in FIG. 26, the transportation time is 3 seconds or
longer with the flat transportation surface (with no projections),
but is reduced to about 1 second with the projections. Thus, it was
found that the transportation time can be reduced by forming the
projections 118 on the transportation surface of the trough
111.
[0298] In the case where the projections 118 are formed on the
transportation surface and the trough 111 is inclined downward, the
transportation time can be reduced to 1 second or shorter as shown
in FIG. 26.
[0299] As shown in FIG. 27, when the angle of the downward
inclination of the trough 111 is increased to 7 degrees and to 13
degrees, the rotation frequency of the rotatable motor 114 required
to fulfill the specifications can be reduced from 450 rpm to 350
rpm to 250 rpm. It was found from this that by attaching the trough
111 at an appropriate inclination angle in accordance with the
property of the object to be transported so as not to excessively
increase the transportation velocity, the load on the rotatable
motor 114 for reciprocating the trough 111 can be alleviated.
[0300] As shown by the test results in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, the
transportation time can be slightly reduced by swinging the first
and second links 113a and 113b of the parallel link 113 between the
state where the links 113a and 113b are inclined backward with
respect to the transportation direction (second state) and the
state where the links 113a and 113b are parallel to the vertical
direction (first state) so as to throw the object upward while
being transported. For example, the test results in FIG. 26 show
that the transportation time is slightly shorter with the throw-up
driving both for the flat transportation surface and for the
transportation surface with projections.
[0301] Referring to the above-described test results, it was found
that the transportation time of an object on the trough 111 can be
significantly reduced by inclining the trough 111 down and forward
with respect to the transportation direction and forming the
projections 118 on the transportation surface of the trough 111. It
is also appreciated that the transportation time can be slightly
reduced by reciprocating the parallel link 113 in a range including
a rear area with respect to the transportation direction such that
the object on the trough 111 is thrown upward forward with respect
to the transportation direction as compared with reciprocating the
trough 111 horizontally.
Embodiment 5
[0302] A combinational weighing device including a transportation
device according to still another embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIG. 20 and FIG.
21.
Overall Structure of Combinational Weighing Device 150
[0303] As shown in FIG. 20, a combinational weighing device 150
according to this embodiment performs combinational weighing such
that an assembly of objects to be weighed has a predetermined
weight or a predetermined number, using measurement values of a
plurality of weighing hoppers (weighing unit, discharging unit)
155. The combinational weighing device 150 comprises the
transportation devices 110 described in Embodiment 4 as a supply
trough group 153. The structure of the supply trough group 153 is
substantially the same as that of the transportation device 110
described in Embodiment 4. Therefore, elements thereof bear
identical reference numeral thereto and the detailed description of
the structure will be omitted.
[0304] The combinational weighing device 150 mainly comprises a
cone-shaped dispersion table 152 located just below a position to
which an object to be weighed (hereinafter, referred to as an
"object") is dropped by a supply conveyer device 190 provided at a
previous stage, the supply trough group (transportation device) 153
located around the dispersion table 152, a plurality of pool
hoppers 154 and weighing hoppers 155, and a collecting and
discharging chute 156.
[0305] As shown in FIG. 21, the dispersion table 152 is an
umbrella-like circular plate, and is continuously rotated by a
driving motor (driving mechanism) 152a. Objects supplied to the top
surface of the dispersion table 152 from the supply conveyer device
190 move to the supply trough group 153 while being dispersed by a
centrifugal force.
[0306] Each trough 111 of the supply trough group 153 transports an
object in a transportation direction (outward in a radial direction
of a circle having the dispersion table 152 at the center) by a
rotation driving force of the rotatable motor 114 (see FIG. 15 and
FIG. 21) being conveyed to the trough 111 via the parallel link 113
or the like.
[0307] Each pool hopper 154 receives an object from the supply
trough group 153, temporarily pools the object, opens an open/close
gate provided at a lower position thereof by an instruction of a
control unit (not shown), and supplies the object to the
corresponding weighing hopper 155.
[0308] Each weighing hopper 155 is provided below the corresponding
pool hopper 154. A plurality of pool hoppers 154 and weighing
hoppers 155 are provided along a circumferential direction in
correspondence with the troughs 111. Each weighing hopper 155 has a
load cell (not shown) for weighing the object therein. Each
weighing hopper 155 also has an open/close gate (not shown) at a
lower position thereof for throwing the object to the collecting
and discharging chute 156 in order to allow the weighing hopper 155
to act as a discharging unit.
[0309] The collecting and discharging chute 156 collects the
objects thrown from the weighing hoppers 155 and flows the objects
down to a device at a subsequent stage, such as a packaging device
or the like.
Structure of the Dispersion Table 152
[0310] The dispersion table 152 is located at the center of the
supply trough group 153 located circumferentially, and upstream
with respect to, and immediately adjacent to, the supply trough
group 153. The dispersion table 152 transports objects supplied
from the supply conveyer device 190 toward the supply trough group
153.
[0311] The dispersion table 152 receives a rotation driving force
from the driving motor (driving mechanism) 152a to continuously
rotate in a horizontal direction (see FIG. 21).
[0312] More specifically, the rotation driving force of the driving
motor 152a is conveyed to a support unit 152b for supporting the
dispersion table 152 via a plurality of gears (not shown), and
therefore the dispersion table 152 connected to the supporting unit
152b is rotated in the horizontal direction. Thus, a centrifugal
force can be applied to the objects supplied onto the dispersion
table 152, and the objects can be transported substantially
uniformly to a plurality of troughs 111 in the supply trough group
153 located so as to surround the dispersion table 152.
[0313] As shown in FIG. 21, a plurality of shutter mechanisms 157
in correspondence with the supply trough group 153 are provided
along an outer circumference of the generally circular dispersion
table 152. In each shutter mechanism 157, a shutter unit 157a is
closed in a usual state to temporarily stop the transportation of
an object P, and is opened when the supply trough group 153 or the
pool hopper 154 becomes empty to supply the object P to the supply
trough group 153. In this manner, the objects P are, for example,
transported one by one to the supply trough group 153 or the pool
hopper 154. Each shutter mechanism 157 comprises the shutter unit
157a, a pivotable unit 157b, and a driving unit 157c.
[0314] The shutter unit 157a is a tray-like member for receiving an
object P transported from the dispersion table 152. The shutter
unit 157a is pivoted around a pivoting center provided at the
pivoting unit 157b, obliquely downward from an approximately
horizontal state, and thus transfers from the state of temporarily
stopping the transportation of the object P to a state of supplying
the object P. In this manner, the shutter unit 157a adjusts the
timing for transporting the object P to the supply trough group
153.
[0315] The pivoting unit 157b is coupled to a rear end of the
shutter unit 157a (on the dispersion table 152 side), and pivots
around the pivoting center pivotably connected to the driving unit
157c so as to switch the open state/close state of the shutter unit
157a.
[0316] The driving unit 157c has a cylinder and a link (not shown)
therein. The driving unit 157c conveys a horizontal driving of the
cylinder to the pivoting unit 157b via the link to open or close
the shutter unit 157a.
Features of the Combinational Weighing Device 150
[0317] (1)
[0318] As shown in FIG. 20, the combinational weighing device 150
in this embodiment comprises a plurality of transportation devices
110 described above in Embodiment 4 as the supply trough group 153
in addition to the dispersion table 152, the pool hoppers 154, and
the weighing hoppers 155.
[0319] Thus, even when the object to be transported has a sticky
surface or absorbs vibration (e.g., pickles, chicken meat, etc.),
such an object can be smoothly transported to the pool hopper 154
provided at a downstream position without being transported at an
excessively high velocity.
[0320] (2)
[0321] As shown in FIG. 21, the combinational weighing device 150
in this embodiment comprises the generally umbrella-like dispersion
table 152 upstream with respect to the supply trough group 153 as a
transportation device. By rotating the dispersion table 152,
objects P are transported from the rotation center of the
dispersion table 152 to radially outward.
[0322] Thus, the objects P on the dispersion table 152 can be
supplied with a centrifugal force and can be transported toward the
outer circumference of the dispersion table 152.
[0323] (3)
[0324] With the combinational weighing device 150 in this
embodiment, the dispersion table 152 is rotated in a horizontal
plane, and thus objects P placed on the dispersion table 152 are
transported toward the outer circumference thereof.
[0325] Thus, the objects P can be transported substantially
uniformly to a plurality of troughs in the supply trough group 153
located around the dispersion table 152.
[0326] (4)
[0327] As shown in FIG. 21, the combinational weighing device 150
in this embodiment comprises the shutter mechanisms 157 provided
between the outer circumference of the dispersion table 152 and the
pool hopper 154.
[0328] Thus, by opening or closing the shutter unit 157a of each
shutter mechanism 157, the timing at which the supply trough group
153, which has received an object P from the dispersion table 152,
supplies the object P to the pool hopper 154 can be controlled.
Therefore, the combinational weighing device 150 can be used in the
case where it is necessary to supply the objects P one by one to
the pool hopper 154 and the weighing hopper 155.
Other Embodiments
[0329] The present invention has been described by way of
embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the
above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0330] (A)
[0331] In the above embodiments, the reciprocation of the trough
111 is realized by the parallel link mechanism 120. The present
invention is not limited to this, and the reciprocation of the
trough 111 may be realized by other transportation mechanisms.
[0332] (B)
[0333] In Embodiment 4, the trough 111 is reciprocated at an equal
velocity. The present invention is not limited to this.
[0334] Substantially the same effect as described above can be
provided in the case where, for example, the trough 111 is moved
forward at a higher velocity than backward or is moved backward at
a higher velocity than forward. A type of driving to provide
appropriate transportation for the reciprocation of the trough 111
can be determined in consideration of the properties of the object
to be transported or the like.
[0335] (C)
[0336] In Embodiment 4, the trough 111 is reciprocated
intermittently. The present invention is not limited to this.
[0337] Substantially the same effect as described above can be
provided in the case where, for example, the trough 111 is
continuously reciprocated.
[0338] (D)
[0339] In Embodiment 4, as shown in FIG. 17, the movable range of
the parallel link 113 (the first links 113a, the second links 113b)
is between a position at which the first and second links are
parallel to the vertical direction and a position at which the
first and second links are inclined backward with respect to the
transportation direction. The present invention is not limited to
this.
[0340] For example, (the parallel link 113 may be reciprocated in a
range including a position at which the first and second links are
inclined forward with respect to the transportation direction. In
this case also, an area included in the movable range in which the
first links 113a and the second links 113b are inclined backward
with respect to the transportation direction is larger than an area
in which the links 113a and 113b are inclined forward with respect
to the transportation direction. Therefore, the object can be
transported so as to be thrown upward.
[0341] (E)
[0342] In Embodiment 5, the object is transported by continuously
rotating the dispersion table 152 at a predetermined velocity. The
present invention is not limited to this.
[0343] For example, as shown in FIG. 22, a driving mechanism 164
having a driving motor 164a and a link mechanism 164b may be used
to alternately switch the rotation direction of the dispersion
table 152 so as to apply a centrifugal force to the object.
Alternatively, a centrifugal force may be applied to the object by
intermittent rotating instead of continuous rotating.
[0344] (F)
[0345] In Embodiment 5, the dispersion table 152 is approximately
cone-shaped. The present invention is not limited to this.
[0346] For example, as shown in FIG. 23, a dispersion table 162 may
be used, which includes a cone-shaped head portion 162a and a
donut-shaped member 162b. The donut-shaped member 162b is attached
to the circumference of the cone-shaped head portion 162a extending
in a horizontal direction.
[0347] (G)
[0348] In Embodiment 5, the dispersion table 152 has nothing formed
on a transportation surface thereof. The present invention is not
limited to this.
[0349] For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the dispersion table 162
having projections 168 projecting from the transportation surface
thereof may be used. Like the projections 118 described above in
Embodiment 4, the projections 168 each have a first face 168a and a
second face 168b, and are formed such that the inclination angle of
the first face 168a with respect to the transportation surface is
greater than the inclination angle of the second face 168b.
[0350] Therefore, in a situation in which the dispersion table 162
is swung in a horizontal plane while the rotation direction thereof
is switched at a predetermined rotation angle by the driving
mechanism 164 that is shown in FIG. 22, the first face 168a
suppresses the object on the dispersion table 162 from moving
backward with respect to a transportation direction (the
circumferential direction around the rotation center of the
dispersion table 162; see FIG. 24), like in the case of the
projections 118 in Embodiment 4. For this reason, the object can be
smoothly transported forward with respect to the transportation
direction.
[0351] In this case, the objects on the dispersion table 162 are
dispersed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 24. Namely, the
objects on the dispersion table 162 move radially outward by a
centrifugal force while sliding in the circumferential direction on
the dispersion table 162 by the swinging of the dispersion table
162. Therefore, the transportation direction on the dispersion
table 162 is a direction along the circumference around the
rotation center of the dispersion table 162. For this reason, on
the dispersion table 162 swung in a horizontal direction by the
driving mechanism 164 shown in FIG. 22, the first face 168a and the
second face 168b of each projection 168 can be arranged along a
direction that is intended to be the transportation direction.
[0352] (H)
[0353] In Embodiment 5, the shutter mechanisms 157 are provided
along the outer circumference of the dispersion table 152. The
present invention is not limited to this.
[0354] Substantially the same effect as described above can be
provided, for example, without the shutter mechanisms 157. Notably,
though, provision of the shutter mechanisms 157 as in Embodiment 5
allows the combinational weighing device to be used in a situation
in which, for example, it is necessary to put objects such as
chicken meat one by one into the weighing hopper.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0355] A transportation device according to the present invention
provides an effect of smoothly transporting even an object, which
is difficult to be transported by a conventional transportation
device, in a predetermined transportation direction, and is widely
applicable to various apparatuses including a transportation device
or supply device for transporting objects while reciprocating a
trough.
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